Michael Saccente Movies
An aspiring homecoming queen discovers that in order to win the coveted crown she must first learn the way of the warrior in this action-packed Disney Channel production that the whole family will enjoy. Wendy Wu has a one track mind, and that track leads directly to the title of homecoming queen -- no unscheduled stops, and no unnecessary detours. When a mysterious Chinese monk named Shen arrives to mold Wendy into a fearless kung fu warrior, however, her royal aspirations suddenly jump the track as she desperately attempts to juggle her boyfriend, her homework, and of course, the fierce competition to become homecoming queen. Now, as Wendy begins to train her mind, body, and spirit in the ancient tradition of the martial arts and her inner warrior gradually begins to emerge, the girl who once obsessed over popularity finally begins to put that popularity into perspective as she gradually realizes what truly matters in life. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brenda Song, Shin Koyamada, (more)
- 2004
Before synopsizing the made-for-TV romantic comedy Raising Waylon, it is essential to point out that hero Reg (Thomas Gibson) is a blue-collar bar owner who prefers to date models; that heroine Julia (Poppy Montgomery) is a globetrotting photographer who likes to go out with rock stars; and that, except for only one blind date, Red and Julia are not now and never have been "a couple." All this changes when the parents of 9-year-old Waylon (Jeremy Bergman) are killed in a car accident. It seems that Waylon's parents had arranged that blind date for Reg and Julia, had assumed that the two were "made for each other",and had arranged for them to be Waylon's godparents. According to the terms of the deceased couple's will, Waylon is to be raised by Reg and Julia, with the boy's elderly but peppery Great Aunt Marie (Doris Roberts) allowed to drop in from time to time to dispense advice. Since Reg and Julia don't get along too well, they do their best to alternate looking after Waylon, even though it forces them to reluctantly rearrange their busy schedules. Soooooo. . ..how long will it be before hero and heroine finally realize what Waylon's parents knew all along: That they were, indeed, Made For Each Other? Raising Waylon premiered February 22, 2004 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The first in a series of "true crime" cable-TV films based on the writings of Dominick Dunne, Murder in Greenwich retraces the brutal bludgeoning murder of Martha Moxley, a Greenwich, Connecticut high school girl, in 1975. Although the prime suspect is Martha's teenaged neighbor Michael Skakel (Jon Foster), the boy is able to evade arrest for a variety of reasons, not least of which is the fact that he is related to the politically "untouchable" Kennedy family. Over two decades later, the case is re-opened at the urging of former police detectitve Mark Fuhrman (Christopher Meloni), whose recent association with the O.J. Simpson trial has branded him a racist pariah. Despite his tarnished reputation, Fuhrman is able to enlist the aid of another detective, Steve Carroll (Robert Forster), the original investigator of the Moxley murder. Although Fuhrman and Carroll are clearly never going to be the best of friends, their combined efforts ultimately bring the elusive (and now adult) Michael Skakel to justice. Not surprisingly, the real Mark Fuhrman was one of the producers of Murder in Greenwich, which made its USA Network debut on November 15, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christopher Meloni, Robert Forster, (more)
- 2001
In the Present, a scuba diver recovers an ancient scroll and presents it to the Center for the Historical Accuracy of Key Research in Ancient Mythology (or CHAKRAM for short). Much to the shock and awe of two fervent Xena: Warrior Princess fans, the scroll proves beyond a doubt that Xena (Lucy Lawless) was once married to war god Ares (Kevin Smith). In a dizzying succession of flashbacks and flashforwards featuring a number of familiar Xena castmembers (some of them in dual roles), the truth about Xena and Ares' matrimonial bonds is revealed -- and somebody isn't going to be very happy about it. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lucy Lawless, Renee O'Connor, (more)
- 1998
In this follow-up to the previous episode "Porkules," Katherine, the female pig whom Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) met while he was briefly transformed into an oinker himself, assumes human form with the help of love goddess Aphrodite (Alexandra Tydings). Alas, the humanized Katherine (also Alexandra Tydings) begins yearning for the simple joys of pighood that are now denied her (such as wallowing naked in the mud). Meanwhile, Iolaus (Kevin Hurst) and Autolycus (Bruce Campbell), imprisoned by Ares (Kevin Smith) for changing the war god's handmaiden Discord (Meighan Desmond) into a chicken, manage to make their escape, albeit still manacled together à
la the Defiant Ones. As a climax to the duo's many misadventures, they end up being displayed at a carnival sideshow as the legendary "Two-Headed Bigfoot." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
la the Defiant Ones. As a climax to the duo's many misadventures, they end up being displayed at a carnival sideshow as the legendary "Two-Headed Bigfoot." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kevin Sorbo, Michael Hurst, (more)
- 1996
Rheanna (Audie England), the beautiful widow of rebel warrior Jordis (Bruce Hopkins), seeks Hercules' (Kevin Sorbo) help in saving her village from the wrath of King Melkos (Michael Keir-Morrisey). At the same time, Hercules' friend Iolaus (Michael Hurst), struck by lightning, has been endowed with awesome psychic powers. Despite Iolaus' dire warnings that Rheanna will betray him, Hercules cannot help but fall in love with the woman -- leading to a fascinating climactic plot twist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kevin Sorbo, Michael Hurst, (more)
- 1996
The titular sword in this episode is well named: Anyone who holds the weapon is incapable of telling a lie. Hoping to prove that warrior-turned-pacifist Amphion (Brad Carpenter) is innocent of murder, Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) and Iolaus (Michael Hurst) search for the sword in the grim Thalian caves. They are guided in this endeavor by Amphion's virginal sweetheart Leah (Kim Michalis) -- while the real murderer, not wishing to be forced into a confession by the sword, plots the demise of the three intrepid do-gooders. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kevin Sorbo, Michael Hurst, (more)
- 1990
In the first episode of a two-part story, Marcy (Amanda Bearse) is crushed when her husband Steve walks out on her, leaving a far-from-tender "Dear Marcy" note behind. In her efforts to cheer Marcy up, Peg (Katey Sagal) invites her for a weekend in Las Vegas--which proves devastatingly expensive for both ladies. And back at home, Peg's 15-year-old son Bud (David Faustino) begins fantasizing about getting Marcy on the rebound, and in the process makes a "revelation" which surprises no one. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
